1.1. Contact organisation
National Statistics Office - Malta
1.2. Contact organisation unit
Census Office
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
National Statistics Office, Xatt Lascaris, Valletta, VLT 2000, Malta
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
18 March 2024
2.2. Metadata last posted
18 March 2024
2.3. Metadata last update
18 March 2024
3.1. Data description
The data present the results of the 2021 EU census on population and housing, following Regulation (EC) 763/2008; Regulation (EU) 2017/543; Regulation (EU) 2017/712 and Regulation (EU) 2017/881.
3.1.1. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on census methodology
The Census for this round was conducted through the collection of primary data from households, with nearly 230,000 dwellings receiving login credentials for an online form in September 2021. A team of nearly 1,000 enumerators was recruited for fieldwork activities within designated enumeration areas. Enumerators recorded information on tablet computers during visits to dwellings, with data collection also possible by telephone between 8 and 28 November 2021 and extended in some areas until 15 December 2021. This digitalised method was implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but traditional printed forms were still available for all contingencies.
3.2. Classification system
The following classification systems were used:
- Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics (NUTS 2021)
- International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED-2011)
- International standard classification of occupations (ISCO-08)
- Statistical Classification of Economic Activities in the European Community (NACE Rev 2)
3.3. Coverage - sector
Not applicable.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
The information is given separately for each census topic.
3.4.1. Statistical concepts and definitions - Usual residence
‘Usual residence’ is the place where a person normally spends the daily period of rest, regardless of temporary absences for purposes of recreation, holidays, visits to friends and relatives, business, medical treatment or religious pilgrimage.
The following persons alone shall be considered to be usual residents of the geographical area in question:
(i) those who have lived in their place of usual residence for a continuous period of at least 12 months before the reference date
(ii) those who arrived in their place of usual residence during the 12 months before the reference date with the intention of staying there for at least one year
Where the circumstances described in point (i) or (ii) cannot be established, ‘usual residence’ shall mean the place of legal or registered residence.
3.4.2. Statistical concepts and definitions - Sex
‘Sex’ refers to the biological and physiological characteristics that define men and women.
3.4.3. Statistical concepts and definitions - Age
The age reached in completed years at the reference date.
3.4.4. Statistical concepts and definitions - Marital status
Marital status is defined as the (legal) conjugal status of an individual in relation to the marriage laws (or customs) of the country (that is the de jure status).
A person shall be classified according to his/her most recently acquired legal marital status at the reference date.
In Member States where the legislation includes provisions for married partners or partners in registered partnership to be ‘legally separated’, such ‘legally separated’ persons are classified under ‘Married or in registered partnership’.
According to Maltese law, one must be 18 to get married, but a 16 or 17-year-old may contract marriage if the parents consent or if authorised to do so by the courts.
3.4.5. Statistical concepts and definitions - Family status
The family nucleus is defined in a narrow sense; that is as two or more persons who belong to the same household and who are related as husband and wife, as partners in a registered partnership, as partners in a consensual union, or as parent and child. Thus, a family comprises a couple without children or a couple with one or more children, or a lone parent with one or more children. This family concept limits relationships between children and adults to direct (first-degree) relationships, that is, between parents and children.
3.4.6. Statistical concepts and definitions - Household status
The Census in Malta adopts the 'Household-dwelling concept' through which considers all persons living in a housing unit to be members of the same household, such that there is one household per occupied housing unit.
3.4.7. Statistical concepts and definitions - Current activity status
‘Current activity status’ is the current relationship of a person to economic activity, based on a reference period of one week, which in Malta was fixed to be the last seven days prior to the Census date. More specifically, the information relates to the period between 15 and 21 November 2021.
3.4.8. Statistical concepts and definitions - Occupation
Occupation refers to the type of work done in a job. ‘Type of work’ is described by the main tasks and duties of the work.
Persons are classified according to the occupation they had during their most recent employment. The categories included in the breakdown 'occupation' correspond to the major groups of the ISCO-08 classification.
Persons under the age of 15 years, as well as persons aged 15 or over that were:
- not economically active during the reference week, or
- unemployed, never worked before (i.e. they have never been employed in their lives)
are classified under 'not applicable'.
The allocation of a person within the breakdowns of the topics 'Occupation', 'Industry' and 'Status in employment' is based on the same job.
3.4.9. Statistical concepts and definitions - Industry
Industry (branch of economic activity) refers to the kind of production or activity of the establishment or similar unit in which the job of an employed person is located.
Persons doing more than one job shall be allocated an industry (branch of economic activity) based on their main job, which is to be identified according to the time spent on the job or (if not available) the income received.
The breakdown by industry is available for persons aged 15 or over that were:
- employed during the reference week, or
- unemployed during the reference week, but have ever been in employment
Persons are classified according to the industry they worked in during their most recent employment. The categories included in the breakdown 'industry' list the 21 sections of the NACE Rev. 2 classification and appropriate aggregates.
3.4.10. Statistical concepts and definitions - Status in employment
An ‘employee’ is a person who works in a ‘paid employment’ job, that is a job where the explicit or implicit contract of employment gives the incumbent a basic remuneration, which is independent of the revenue of the unit for which he/she works. An ‘employer’ is a person who, working on his or her own account or with a small number of partners, holds a ‘self- employment’ job and, in this capacity, on a continuous basis (including the reference week) has engaged one or more persons to work for him/her as ‘employees’.
3.4.11. Statistical concepts and definitions - Place of work
The location of the place of work is the geographical area in which a currently employed person does his/her job.
The place of work of those mostly working at home is the same as their usual residence. The term ‘working’ refers to work done as an ‘employed person’ as defined under the topic ‘Current activity status’. ‘Mostly’ working at home means that the person spends all or most of the time working at home, and less, or no, time in a place of work other than at home.
Information on persons who do not have a fixed place of work but who report to a fixed address at the beginning of their work period (for example bus drivers, airline crew, operators of street market stalls that are not removed at the end of the workday) refer to that address. This group may also include individuals who travel to work, on a regular basis, across the border to a neighbouring country.
The breakdown ‘No fixed place of work (inside or outside the Member State)’ includes all persons without fixed place of work but will also refer to persons such as sailors, fishermen and offshore workers for whom it may not be possible to allocate the place of work.
3.4.12. Statistical concepts and definitions - Educational attainment
Educational attainment refers to the highest level successfully completed in the educational system of the country where the education was received. All education which is relevant to the completion of a level is taken into account even if this was provided outside schools and universities.
3.4.13. Statistical concepts and definitions - Size of the locality
A locality is defined as a distinct population cluster that is an area defined by population living in neighbouring or contiguous buildings.
Such buildings may either:
(a) form a continuous built-up area with a clearly recognizable street formation; or
(b) though not part of such a built-up area, comprise a group of buildings to which a locally recognized place name is uniquely attached; or
(c) though not meeting either of the above two criteria, constitute a group of buildings, none of which is separated from its nearest neighbour by more than 200 meters.
3.4.14. Statistical concepts and definitions - Place of birth
Information on the ‘Place of birth’ is collected according to the place of usual residence of the mother at the time of the birth, or, if not available, the place in which the birth took place, on the basis of international boundaries existing on 1 January 2021.
For reporting countries that are EU Member States, the sub-category under the category 'other EU Member State' that refers to their Member State does not apply. For reporting countries that are not EU Member States, the category 'Other EU Member State' shall be read as 'EU Member State'.
The category 'Information not classifiable according to current borders' covers those persons whose country of birth existed at the time of the birth, but no longer exists at the time of the census, and who cannot be allocated uniquely to one country existing at the time of the census, i.e. according to current borders.
The category 'outside any country' covers persons for whom the usual residence of the mother at the time of the birth is not known and who were born outside the borders of any country, for example at sea or in the air.
3.4.15. Statistical concepts and definitions - Country of citizenship
Citizenship is defined as the particular legal bond between an individual and his/her State, acquired by birth or naturalization, whether by declaration, option, marriage or other means according to the national legislation. A person with two or more citizenships is allocated to only one country of citizenship, to be determined in the following order of precedence:
- reporting country
- if the person does not have the citizenship of the reporting country: other EU Member State
- if the person does not have the citizenship of another EU Member State: other country outside the European Union.
'EU Member State' means a country that is a member of the European Union on 1 January 2021. The list of countries in the breakdown 'Country of citizenship' shall only apply for statistical purposes.
For reporting countries that are EU Member States, the sub-category of the category 'citizenship not of reporting country, but other EU Member State' that refers to their Member State does not apply. For reporting countries that are not EU Member States, the category 'citizenship not of reporting country, but other EU Member State' shall be changed to 'citizenship of an EU Member State'.
Persons who are neither citizens of any country nor stateless and who have some but not all of the rights and duties associated with citizenship shall be classified under 'recognised non-citizens'.
3.4.16. Statistical concepts and definitions - Year of arrival in the country
The year of arrival is the calendar year in which a person most recently established usual residence in the country.
The data for 2021 refer to the time span between 1 January 2021 and the reference date.
3.4.17. Statistical concepts and definitions - Residence one year before
The relationship between the current place of usual residence and the place of usual residence one year prior to the census.
For all persons that have changed their usual residence more than once within the year prior to the reference date, the previous place of usual residence is the last usual residence from which they moved to their current place of usual residence.
3.4.18. Statistical concepts and definitions - Housing arrangements
The topic ‘Housing arrangements’ covers the whole population and refers to the type of housing in which a person usually resides at the time of the census. This covers all persons who are usual residents in different types of living quarters, or who do not have a usual residence and stay temporarily in some type of living quarters, or who are roofless, sleeping rough or in emergency shelters, when the census is taken.
'Other housing units' are huts, cabins, shacks, shanties, caravans, houseboats, barns, mills, caves or any other shelter used for human habitation at the time of the census, irrespective if it was designed for human habitation.
'Collective living quarters' are premises which are designed for habitation by large groups of individuals or several households and which are used as the usual residence of at least one person at the time of the census.
'Occupied conventional dwellings', 'other housing units' and 'collective living quarters' together represent ‘living quarters'. Any 'living quarter' must be the usual residence of at least one person.
The sum of occupied conventional dwellings and other housing units represents 'housing units'. The homeless (persons who are not usual residents in any living quarter category) can be persons living in the streets without a shelter that would fall within the scope of living quarters (primary homelessness) or persons moving frequently between temporary accommodation (secondary homelessness).
3.4.19. Statistical concepts and definitions - Type of family nucleus
The family nucleus is defined in a narrow sense; that is as two or more persons who belong to the same household and who are related as husband and wife, as partners in a registered partnership, as partners in a consensual union, or as parent and child. Thus a family comprises a couple without children or a couple with one or more children, or a lone parent with one or more children. This family concept limits relationships between children and adults to direct (first-degree) relationships, that is, between parents and children.
Child (son/daughter) refers to a blood, step- or adopted son or daughter (regardless of age or marital status) who has usual residence in the household of at least one of the parents, and who has no partner or own children in the same household. Foster children are not included. A son or daughter who lives with a spouse, with a registered partner, with a partner in a consensual union, or with one or more own children, is not considered to be a child. A child who alternates between two households (for instance if his or her parents are divorced) shall consider the one where he or she spends the majority of the time as his or her household. Where an equal amount of time is spent with both parents the household shall be the one where the child is found at the time on census night.
The term couple shall include married couples, couples in registered partnerships, and couples who live in a consensual union.
Registered partnerships are reported only by countries that have a legal framework regulating partnerships that:
(a) lead to legal conjugal obligations between two persons;
(b) are not marriages;
(c) prevent persons to commit themselves into multiple partnerships with different partners.
Two persons are considered to be partners in a 'consensual union' when they
- belong to the same household, and
- have a marriage-like relationship with each other, and
- are not married to or in a registered partnership with each other.
'Skip-generation households' (households consisting of a grandparent or grandparents and one or more grandchildren, but no parent of those grandchildren) are not included in the definition of a family.
3.4.20. Statistical concepts and definitions - Size of family nucleus
The family nucleus is defined in a narrow sense; that is as two or more persons who belong to the same household and who are related as husband and wife, as partners in a registered partnership, as partners in a consensual union, or as parent and child. Thus a family comprises a couple without children or a couple with one or more children, or a lone parent with one or more children. This family concept limits relationships between children and adults to direct (first-degree) relationships, that is, between parents and children.
3.4.21. Statistical concepts and definitions - Type of private household
The Census in Malta adopts the 'Household-dwelling concept' through which considers all persons living in a housing unit to be members of the same household, such that there is one household per occupied housing unit.
3.4.22. Statistical concepts and definitions - Size of private household
The Census in Malta adopts the 'Household-dwelling concept' through which considers all persons living in a housing unit to be members of the same household, such that there is one household per occupied housing unit.
'Primary homeless persons' are persons living in the streets without a shelter that would fall within the scope of living quarters.
3.4.23. Statistical concepts and definitions - Tenure status of households
The topic ‘Tenure status of households’ refers to the arrangements under which a private household occupies all or part of a housing unit.
3.4.24. Statistical concepts and definitions - Type of living quarter
A living quarter is housing which is the usual residence of one or more persons.
'Conventional dwellings' are structurally separate and independent premises at fixed locations which are designed for permanent human habitation and are, at the reference date, either used as a residence, or vacant, or reserved for seasonal or secondary use.
'Separate' means surrounded by walls and covered by a roof or ceiling so that one or more persons can isolate themselves.
'Independent' means having direct access from a street or a staircase, passage, gallery or grounds.
'Other housing units' are huts, cabins, shacks, shanties, caravans, houseboats, barns, mills, caves or any other shelter used for human habitation at the time of the census, irrespective if it was designed for human habitation.
'Collective living quarters' are premises which are designed for habitation by large groups of individuals or several households and which are used as the usual residence of at least one person at the time of the census.
'Occupied conventional dwellings', 'other housing units' and 'collective living quarters' together represent ‘living quarters'.
Any 'living quarter' must be the usual residence of at least one person.
3.4.25. Statistical concepts and definitions - Occupancy status
‘Occupied conventional dwellings’ are conventional dwellings which are the usual residence of one or more persons at the time of the census. ‘Unoccupied conventional dwellings’ are conventional dwellings which are not the usual residence of any person at the time of the census.
3.4.26. Statistical concepts and definitions - Type of ownership
‘Type of ownership’ refers to the ownership of the dwelling and not to that of the land on which the dwelling stands. It shows the tenure arrangements under which the dwelling is occupied.
'Owner-occupied dwellings' are those where at least one occupant of the dwelling owns parts or the whole of the dwelling. 'Cooperative ownership' refers to ownership within the framework of a housing cooperative.
'Rented dwellings' are those where at least one occupant pays a rent for the occupation of the dwelling, and where no occupant owns parts or the whole of the dwelling.
3.4.27. Statistical concepts and definitions - Number of occupants
The number of occupants of a housing unit is the number of people for whom the housing unit is the usual residence.
3.4.28. Statistical concepts and definitions - Useful floor space
Useful floor space is defined as the floor space measured inside the outer walls excluding non-habitable cellars and attics and, in multi-dwelling buildings, all common spaces; or the total floor space of rooms falling under the concept of 'room'.
3.4.29. Statistical concepts and definitions - Number of rooms
A ‘room’ is defined as a space in a housing unit enclosed by walls reaching from the floor to the ceiling or roof, of a size large enough to hold a bed for an adult (4 square meters at least) and at least 2 meters high over the major area of the ceiling.
3.4.30. Statistical concepts and definitions - Density standard (floor space)
The topic ‘Density standard (floor space)’ relates the useful floor space in square meters to the number of occupants, as specified under the topic ‘Number of occupants’.
3.4.31. Statistical concepts and definitions - Density standard (number of rooms)
The topic ‘Density standard (number of rooms)’ relates the number of rooms to the number of occupants, as specified under the topic ‘Number of occupants’.
3.4.32. Statistical concepts and definitions - Water supply system
Whether the conventional dwelling is equipped with piped water.
3.4.33. Statistical concepts and definitions - Toilet facilities
Whether the conventional dwelling is equipped with toilet facilities.
3.4.34. Statistical concepts and definitions - Bathing facilities
Whether the conventional dwelling is equipped with bathing facilities.
3.4.35. Statistical concepts and definitions - Type of heating
Conventional dwelling is considered as centrally heated if heating is provided either from a community heating centre or from an installation built in the building or in the conventional dwelling, established for heating purposes, without regard to the source of energy.
3.4.36. Statistical concepts and definitions - Type of building
The topic ‘Dwellings by type of building’ refers to the number of dwellings in the building in which the dwelling is placed.
3.4.37. Statistical concepts and definitions - Period of construction
The topic ‘Dwellings by period of construction’ refers to the year when the building in which the dwelling is placed was completed.
3.5. Statistical unit
The EU programme for the 2021 population and housing censuses includes data on persons, private households, family nuclei, conventional dwellings and living quarters.
3.6. Statistical population
The persons enumerated in the 2021 census are those who were usually resident in the territory of the reporting country at the census reference date.
3.7. Reference area
Data are available at different levels of geographical detail in EU countries: national, NUTS2/NUTS3 regions and local administrative units (LAU), grids.
3.8. Coverage - Time
Data refer to the situation in Malta at the census reference date, i.e. 21 November 2021.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
Counts of statistical units should be expressed in numbers and where is needed rate per inhabitants enumerated in the country.
See the following sub-concepts.
5.1. EU census reference date
21 November 2021
5.2. National census reference date
21 November 2021
5.3. Differences between reference dates of national and EU census publications
No differences.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
The Census collects information in with:
- National legislation - Census Act 1948;
- EU regulatory requirements: and
- Regulation EC 763/2008 (Main regulation)
- Regulation EU 543/2017 (Questionnaire topics)
- Regulation EU 712/2017 (Transmission of Hypercubes and Metadata
- Regulation EU 881/2017 (Quality reports and transmission technicalities)
- Regulation EU 1799/2018 (Dissemination of selected geocoded topics)
- Recommendations, concepts and definitions on population censuses made by the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).
6.1.1. Bodies responsible
The National Statistics Office (NSO) is the body responsible for collecting the Population and Housing Census. In In October 2019, the Director General of the National Statistics Office, was appointed Census Officer by the Prime Minister. The Census Officer heads the preparations for Census 2021 and deals with all pertinent issues.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Census data is not shared/exchanged with other data producing agencies.
Data in tabular form is shared with:
- Eurostat (1 square-kilometre grid data for a number of indicators, and a total of 41 data hypercubes as established in the legislation);
- National Users (upon request channelled through the Communication and Dissemination Unit).
Access to anonymised microdata may be granted under strict conditions to a selected number of institutions or persons accredited as research entities or researchers respectively. Anonymised microdata is only shared for use in research projects.
To initiate the process, users need to contact the NSO and fill out the relevant application form available website. This form will serve as a formal request for access to the microdata.
Upon receiving the request, the NSO will review it and assess whether the data sharing is justified. If the request is considered favourably, a formal contract agreement is drafted to define the responsibilities of the user regarding the security and confidentiality of the microdata.
Once the contract agreement is agreed upon and signed by the Research Entity or Researcher and the NSO, access to anonymised microdata will be granted subject to the terms of reference included in the application form and contract agreement. Access is normally granted for a definite period which is specified in the agreement.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
At National level:
The Census's legal basis is the national Census Act 1948. In addition, the NSO requests information for the compilation of official statistics according to the articles of the MSA Act – Cap. 422 and the Data Protection Act – Cap. 586 of the Laws of Malta implementing the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). Since its inception, the NSO has always assured that all data collected remains confidential and that it is used for statistical purposes only according to the articles and derogations stipulated in the laws quoted above. The Office is obliged to protect the identify of data providers and refrain from divulging any data to third parties that might lead to the identification of persons or entities.
Upon employment, all staff involved in Census operations are informed of the rules and duties pertaining to confidential information and its treatment. In line with stipulations of the Census Act, before commencing work, every employee is required to take an oath of secrecy whose text is included in the same Act.
An internal policy on anonymisation and pseudo-anonymisation is in place to ascertain that adequate methods are used for the protection of data which the office collects and shares with the public in its capacity as the National Statistics Office. The policy is meant to safeguard confidentiality of both personal and business data entrusted to the NSO. The document provides guidance for all NSO employees who process data on a daily basis as to how anonymisation and pseudo-anonymisation methods should be applied. The policy applies to all confidential, restricted and internal information, regardless of form (paper or electronic documents, applications and databases) that is received, processed, stored and disseminated by the NSO.
At European level:
Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics (recital 24 and Article 20(4) of 11 March 2009 (OJ L 87, p. 164), stipulates the need to establish common principles and guidelines ensuring the confidentiality of data used for the production of European statistics and the access to those confidential data with due account for technical developments and the requirements of users in a democratic society.
Confidentiality - Regulation (EU) 2017/712 Art 4 and 5
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
For tabular data requested by national users, the minimum frequency count rule is used to suppress cells with very low counts.
When transmitting data hypercubes to Eurostat, the following disclosure control methods were used:
- 1 square-kilometre grid data: grid cells with low counts at the total population level, were marked as confidential for all data topics.
- 41 data hypercubes: The statistical disclosure control (SDC) method used to protect Census 2021 data in Malta is the Cell Key Method (CKM), as implemented in the R packages cellKey and ptable. This post-tabular, perturbative method is one of two SDC methods recommended by Eurostat.
The CKM is provides protection by adding noise to, and therefore altering, cell values (frequency counts) within tables. This creates uncertainty around the reported frequency counts, making it more difficult to identify data subjects from the frequency tables.
In general, the CKM guarantees the following:
a) Zero mean – The added noise is unbiased.
b) Fixed variance – The added noise has a fixed spread across target frequencies.
c) No small counts – No target frequency count is smaller than or equal to js.
d) Maximum perturbation – The added noise can take integer values within the range [-D, +D].
e) Zeros are preserved – An original frequency count of 0 remains a frequency count of 0.
f) Conditional probability distribution – The transition matrix is a Markov matrix, capturing all possibilities. The probabilities of each row add up to 1.
The selected parameters ensure that no cells with a value of 1 or 2 result following perturbation. This is in line with the general principle of SDC whereby low counts are linked to the highest risk of identification and hence are prioritised in terms of protection.
8.1. Release calendar
An advance release calendar is maintained by the NSO and published on the NSO website. The calendar projects six months of news releases (including the current and five subsequent months).
News Releases and Publications pertaining to the Census were included in the NSO Calendars.
8.2. Release calendar access
8.3. Release policy - user access
In line with the Community legal framework and the European Statistics Code of Practice, Eurostat disseminates European statistics on its website respecting professional independence and in an objective, professional and transparent manner in which all users are treated equitably.
An internal policy on dissemination is in place to govern the dissemination of official statistics in an impartial, independent and timely manner, making them available simultaneously to all users.
The NSO’s primary channel for the dissemination of official statistics is the NSO website. Tailored requests for statistical information may also be submitted through the NSO website.
Moreover, relevant news releases are available in electronic format on the NSO website.
Decennial
See the following sub-concepts.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
News Releases and Publications pertaining to the Census are available on the NSO website.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
Four reports, including one preliminary report and three final volumes, were published to detail the statistical information collected during the Census. These reports are listed below:
- Preliminary report: August 2022
- Population, migration, and other social characteristics: February 2023
- Dwelling characteristics: August 2023
- Health, education, employment, and other characteristics: January 2024
These publications are available on the NSO website.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
An on-line database on the 2021 census is not available on the NSO website.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
Access to anonymised microdata may be granted under strict conditions to a selected number of institutions or persons accredited as research entities or researchers respectively. Anonymised microdata is only shared for use in research projects.
To initiate the process, users need to contact the NSO and fill out the relevant application form available in this website. This form will serve as a formal request for access to the microdata.
Upon receiving the request, the NSO will review it and assess whether the data sharing is justified. If the request is considered favourably, a formal contract agreement is drafted to define the responsibilities of the user regarding the security and confidentiality of the microdata.
Once the contract agreement is agreed upon and signed by the Research Entity or Researcher and the NSO, access to anonymised microdata will be granted subject to the terms of reference included in the application form and contract agreement. Access is normally granted for a definite period which is specified in the agreement.
10.5. Dissemination format - other
Not applicable.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
Methodological guidelines are included in the regulations listed in sub-concept 6.1, and the UNECE recommendations on Censuses of Population and Housing. In addition, comprehensive notes and metadata were included in each census publication.
Four reports, including one preliminary report and three final volumes, were published to detail the statistical information collected during the Census. These reports are listed below:
- Preliminary report: August 2022
- Population, migration, and other social characteristics: February 2023
- Dwelling characteristics: August 2023
- Health, education, employment, and other characteristics: January 2024
These publications are available on the NSO website.
10.7. Quality management - documentation
The NSO has developed an internal Quality Management Framework (QMF) which is built on common requirements of the ESS Code of Practice (ESS CoP) a set of general quality guidelines spanning over all statistical domains. Assuring methodological soundness is an integral part of the QMF, nonetheless, the document spans also on other areas related to institutional aspects).
Further quality documentation about the Census will be included in the 2 quality hypercubes which will be submitted to Eurostat by March 2024.
11.1. Quality assurance
The accuracy of statistical information from the Census is ensured by adherence to the methodological manuals specified in sub concept 10.6.
Every five to seven years, the NSO participates in a Peer Review exercise through which the compliance of its operations with principles of the ESS CoP is assessed by an expert team. Peer Reviews are indeed part of the European Statistical System (ESS) strategy to implement the ESS CoP. Each NSI is expected to provide information as requested by a standard self-assessment questionnaire. Following this an expert team visits the office to meet NSI representatives and main stakeholders. Peer Reviews result in a compliance report and the listing of a set of Improvement Actions which need to be followed up by the NSI. The last round of Peer Reviews was carried out in 2022.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
There are no reasons for data unreliability for the various topics dealt with in the Census.
The accuracy of statistical information from the Census is ensured by adherence to the methodological manuals specified in sub concept 10.6.
11.2.1. Coverage assessment
By mid December 2021, following the completion of the traditional fieldwork a coverage rate of 83.4 % was achieved (433,055 persons). Following this, administrative registers were used extensively to include persons who, basing on the signs-of-life principle, were eligible to be enumerated but did not participate during the fieldwork (the remaining 16.6% or 86,507 persons). This ensured the coverage of all eligible persons to be reflected in the final usual resident population (total Census population of 519,562).
11.2.2. Post-enumeration survey(s)
No post-enumeration survey was carried out. Instead, a series of administrative registers were used to identify non-respondents following the first phase of the data collection according to the signs-of-life principle. These were duly included in the final usual resident population count.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
The Census data are addressed to policy makers, researchers, media, and the general public.
The Census questionnaire was developed considering national and international needs outlined by the respective legislations, as well as the recommendations, concepts, and definitions on population censuses proposed by the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). Apart from this, a public consultation phase was conducted among stakeholders. This was launched in May 2020, and stakeholders were invited to submit their proposals for additional themes and questions that could be potentially included in the questionnaire. This stage was essential to ensure that the needs of users were also considered.
Inclusion of any additional questions was weighed against issues of response burden, cost-effectiveness, data quality and above all, the need to keep the questionnaire to a reasonable length. For all these reasons, each proposal was reviewed in detail and when it was rejected, a reason was provided. In most cases, an alternative source of information was already available, including, but not limited to administrative data or existing surveys carried out by the NSO. Where possible, the NSO communicated with these stakeholders on alternative solutions for collecting the additional indicators proposed. In the end, the consultation phase led to a number of new questions being introduced or existing questions being amended.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
The last User Satisfaction Survey was held in 2022 with the aim to collect information about key users’ satisfaction with statistical output. This investigation is carried out every 5 to 6 years.
The NSO keeps record of the number of News Releases and publications disseminated on its website; the users to whom statistical products are provided; as well as the number of requests that are processed every year.
A dedicated publication with results from the 2022 survey is available in this website.
A user satisfaction index is not available.
12.3. Completeness
All required data are sent to Eurostat, except for 2 topics which are partially complete. These are: ‘Type of Building’ and ‘Period of Construction’, and this information could not be recorded for unoccupied dwellings.
Data on occupied dwellings is normally collected at sources from its members, and thus a vast number of variables could be collected. On the other hand, the owners of unoccupied dwellings cannot be traced, and it was thus not possible to determine information on period of construction and type of building. Data on unoccupied dwellings is limited to location, type of dwelling and state of repair.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
By mid-December 2021, after traditional fieldwork was finished, an 83.4% coverage rate was attained. Subsequently, administrative registers were heavily utilised to encompass individuals who, according to the principle of signs-of-life, were qualified for enumeration but did not partake in the fieldwork. This guaranteed that the final population count of usual residents reflected the inclusion of all eligible individuals, notwithstanding item non-response, which varied by topic due to characteristics not captured in administrative records.
13.1.1. Overall accuracy - Usual residence
Refer to 13.1
13.1.2. Overall accuracy - Sex
The item non-response rate for this topic stood at 3.3%
13.1.3. Overall accuracy - Age
The item non-response rate for this topic stood at 3.3%
13.1.4. Overall accuracy - Marital status
The item non-response rate for this topic stood at 20.5%
13.1.5. Overall accuracy - Family status
The item non-response rate for this topic stood at 18.6%
13.1.6. Overall accuracy - Household status
The item non-response rate for this topic stood at 18.6%
13.1.7. Overall accuracy - Current activity status
The item non-response rate for this topic stood at 21.4%
13.1.8. Overall accuracy - Occupation
The item non-response rate for this topic stood at 29.7%
13.1.9. Overall accuracy - Industry
The item non-response rate for this topic stood at 32.0%
13.1.10. Overall accuracy - Status in employment
The item non-response rate for this topic stood at 27.0%
13.1.11. Overall accuracy - Place of work
The item non-response rate for this topic stood at 31.8%
13.1.12. Overall accuracy - Educational attainment
The item non-response rate for this topic stood at 23.1%
13.1.13. Overall accuracy - Size of the locality
Refer to 13.1
13.1.14. Overall accuracy - Place of birth
The item non-response rate for this topic stood at 19.3%
13.1.15. Overall accuracy - Country of citizenship
The item non-response rate for this topic stood at 2.4%
13.1.16. Overall accuracy - Year of arrival in the country
The item non-response rate for this topic stood at 58.1%
13.1.17. Overall accuracy - Residence one year before
The item non-response rate for this topic stood at 20.0%
13.1.18. Overall accuracy - Housing arrangements
The item non-response rate for this topic stood at 18.6%
13.1.19. Overall accuracy - Type of family nucleus
The item non-response rate for this topic stood at 18.6%
13.1.20. Overall accuracy - Size of family nucleus
The item non-response rate for this topic stood at 18.6%
13.1.21. Overall accuracy - Type of private household
The item non-response rate for this topic stood at 18.6%
13.1.22. Overall accuracy - Size of private household
The item non-response rate for this topic stood at 18.6%
13.1.23. Overall accuracy - Tenure status of households
The item non-response rate for this topic stood at 25.5%
13.1.24. Overall accuracy - Type of living quarter
Refer to 13.1
13.1.25. Overall accuracy - Occupancy status
Refer to 13.1
13.1.26. Overall accuracy - Type of ownership
The item non-response rate for this topic stood at 25.5%
13.1.27. Overall accuracy - Number of occupants
Refer to 13.1
13.1.28. Overall accuracy - Useful floor space
Not available. Information was collected on number of rooms.
13.1.29. Overall accuracy - Number of rooms
The item non-response rate for this topic stood at 25.8%
13.1.30. Overall accuracy - Density standard (floor space)
Not available. Information was collected on number of rooms.
13.1.31. Overall accuracy - Density standard (number of rooms)
The item non-response rate for this topic stood at 25.8%
13.1.32. Overall accuracy - Water supply system
Rate of coverage of 100%
13.1.33. Overall accuracy - Toilet facilities
Rate of coverage of 100%
13.1.34. Overall accuracy - Bathing facilities
Rate of coverage of 100%
13.1.35. Impact of the COVID pandemic on data accuracy
The Census for this round was conducted through the collection of primary data from households, with nearly 230,000 dwellings receiving login credentials for an online form in September 2021. A team of nearly 1,000 enumerators was recruited for fieldwork activities within designated enumeration areas. Enumerators recorded information on tablet computers during visits to dwellings, with data collection also possible by telephone between 8 and 28 November 2021 and extended in some areas until 15 December 2021. This digitalised method was implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but traditional printed forms were still available for all contingencies.
13.2. Sampling error
Not applicable.
13.3. Non-sampling error
A series of measures were implemented to certify that optimum quality was achieved in the Census. These consisted of quality checks and in-built validation rules in the data collection programs (catering for web and portable media devices data collection) to limit the occurrence of non-sampling errors. The data-entry programs had a number of in-built validations so that skip patterns are executed exactly as intended while responses are within a specific range. In addition, constant supervision during the data collection stage ensured a harmonised data collection process. Missing data which could not be retrieved through administrative registers was duly imputed using regression multiple imputation mechanisms.
14.1. Timeliness
The Census reference date in Malta was 21 November 2021.
Data was made available in the following formats and dates as per below:
- Preliminary report: August 2022
- Population, migration, and other social characteristics: February 2023
- Dwelling characteristics: August 2023
- Health, education, employment, and other characteristics: January 2024
These publications are available on the NSO website.
Final data in hypercube form was provided to Eurostat in December 2023. The deadline for transmission as specified in the relevant regulations was March 2024.
14.2. Punctuality
Initial grid data was transmitted to Eurostat in December 2021, in line with the deadline established in the relevant regulations.
Final data in hypercube form was provided to Eurostat in December 2023. The deadline for transmission as specified in the relevant regulations was March 2024.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
Data reported to Eurostat conforms to the eligibility criteria established for all Member States. In accordance with the relevant legislation, the definition of ‘usual residence’ based on a 12-month reference period (including intention of stay) was adhered to. There are no particular reasons for lack of comparability between countries.
15.1.1. Geographic information - data quality
Census results are published every 10 years. Comparison of the 2021 Census data with data prior to 2011 should be conducted with caution due to differences in definitions and eligibility criteria applied. The same applies for the comparison of data by region between different censuses since the boundaries of some of the local councils which identify the localities may have changed over time.
15.2. Comparability - over time
Not applicable.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Differences in the framework of the Census and other statistical domains, particularly population data, may emerge in view of differences in definitions and methodologies used.
The Usual Residence Population data collection is specifically focused on capturing information about individuals who usually reside in a specific area, regardless of their nationality or legal status. This includes both the population residing in private households and those residing in institutions such as nursing homes and prisons.
On the other hand, the National Accounts, Labour Force Survey, and Survey on Income and Living Conditions may have specific population coverage criteria that focus on different aspects of the population, namely the private household population.
15.4. Coherence - internal
Internal coherence is assured by following the regulations defining breakdown and definitions of topics.
The total cost associated with the data collection for the census is estimated at 3.2 billion Euros.
17.1. Data revision - policy
In 2022, the NSO adopted a new Policy on Revisions of Official Statistics establishing clear principles and guidelines on how the Office manages revisions. This policy is available on NSO’s website.
Internally, an inventory of the revisions occurring in all domains of official statistics was developed, categorising these revisions either as (i) regular, (ii) major, (iii) benchmark revisions and (iv) errors. For each statistical domain, the inventory also includes the need and causes for revisions, time, and frequency of revisions; data and other statistical products affected by such revisions; and length of periods revised.
In addition, news releases including revisions are flagged in the news release calendar according to the planned type of revision.
17.2. Data revision - practice
The data revision policy referred to in sub-concept 17.1 is adhered with in case the need of revisions for Census data arises.
18.1. Source data
The Census is based on the collection of primary data from households.
For the first time, people had the option to fill-in the census questionnaire through an online form which was accessible to the public from October 2021. Nearly 230,000 dwellings received an official letter with the login credentials via post in September 2021. Moreover, nearly 1,000 enumerators were recruited for canvassing and fieldwork activities within their designated area. Administrative data sources were also used for data verification and imputation purposes.
18.1.1. List of data sources
Primary data collection was the main source of information as the Census was primarily done in a conventional way. The following is a list of administrative registers (including responsible authorities) that were used to identify persons who, basing on the signs-of-life principle, were eligible to be enumerated but did not participate during the fieldwork:
- Residence permits' data - Identita'
- taxpayers data - Office of the Commissioner for Revenue
- Covid vaccine data - Directorate for Health Information and Research
- Asylum data - International Protection Agency
- Database of ID card holders (referred to as CDB) - Public Registry, Identita
- Students' database (Ministry of Education for state students at pre-primary, primary and secondary, and the rest of the students are collected from each church and private school)
- Births' data - Public Registry, Identita and Directorate for Health Information and Research, National Obstetric Information System
- Deaths' data - Directorate for Health Information and Research, Mortality Register
18.1.1.1. List of data sources - Data on persons
Primary data collection was the main source of information as the Census was primarily done in a conventional way. The following is a list of administrative registers (including responsible authorities) that were used to identify persons who, basing on the signs-of-life principle, were eligible to be enumerated but did not participate during the fieldwork:
- Residence permits' data - Identita'
- taxpayers data - Office of the Commissioner for Revenue
- Covid vaccine data - Directorate for Health Information and Research
- Asylum data - International Protection Agency
- Database of ID card holders (referred to as CDB) - Public Registry, Identita
- Students' database (Ministry of Education for state students at pre-primary, primary and secondary, and the rest of the students are collected from each church and private school)
- Births' data - Public Registry, Identita and Directorate for Health Information and Research, National Obstetric Information System
- Deaths' data - Directorate for Health Information and Research, Mortality Register
18.1.1.2. List of data sources - Data on households
Primary data collection was the main source of information as the Census was primarily done in a conventional way. The following is a list of administrative registers (including responsible authorities) that were used to identify persons who, basing on the signs-of-life principle, were eligible to be enumerated but did not participate during the fieldwork:
- Residence permits' data - Identita'
- Taxpayers data - Office of the Commissioner for Revenue
- Covid vaccine data - Directorate for Health Information and Research
- Asylum data - International Protection Agency
- Database of ID card holders (referred to as CDB) - Public Registry, Identita
- Students' database (Ministry of Education for state students at pre-primary, primary and secondary, and the rest of the students are collected from each church and private school)
- Births' data - Public Registry, Identita and Directorate for Health Information and Research, National Obstetric Information System
- Deaths' data - Directorate for Health Information and Research, Mortality Register
18.1.1.3. List of data sources - Data on family nuclei
Primary data collection was the main source of information as the Census was primarily done in a conventional way. The following is a list of administrative registers (including responsible authorities) that were used to identify persons who, basing on the signs-of-life principle, were eligible to be enumerated but did not participate during the fieldwork. Specifically on family nuclei, the following registers were used:
- Database of ID card holders (referred to as CDB) - Public Registry, Identita
- Students' database (Ministry of Education for state students at pre-primary, primary and secondary, and the rest of the students are collected from each church and private school)
- Births' data - Public Registry, Identita and Directorate for Health Information and Research, National Obstetric Information System
- Deaths' data - Directorate for Health Information and Research, Mortality Register
18.1.1.4. List of data sources - Data on living quarters
Primary data collection was the main source of information as the Census was primarily done in a conventional way. The following is a list of administrative registers (including responsible authorities) that were used to identify persons who, basing on the signs-of-life principle, were eligible to be enumerated but did not participate during the fieldwork:
- Residence permits' data - Identita'
- Taxpayers data - Office of the Commissioner for Revenue
- Covid vaccine data - Directorate for Health Information and Research
- Asylum data - International Protection Agency
- Database of ID card holders (referred to as CDB) - Public Registry, Identita
- Students' database (Ministry of Education for state students at pre-primary, primary and secondary, and the rest of the students are collected from each church and private school)
- Births' data - Public Registry, Identita and Directorate for Health Information and Research, National Obstetric Information System
- Deaths' data - Directorate for Health Information and Research, Mortality Register
Data on the number of living quarters was achieved after concluding data on the eligible persons based on the registers above. Information on dwelling characteristics was collected as primary data during enumeration.
18.1.1.5. List of data sources - Data on conventional dwellings
Primary data collection was the main source of information as the Census was primarily done in a conventional way. The following is a list of administrative registers (including responsible authorities) that were used to identify persons who, basing on the signs-of-life principle, were eligible to be enumerated but did not participate during the fieldwork:
- Residence permits' data - Identita'
- Taxpayers data - Office of the Commissioner for Revenue
- Covid vaccine data - Directorate for Health Information and Research
- Asylum data - International Protection Agency
- Database of ID card holders (referred to as CDB) - Public Registry, Identita
- Students' database (Ministry of Education for state students at pre-primary, primary and secondary, and the rest of the students are collected from each church and private school)
- Births' data - Public Registry, Identita and Directorate for Health Information and Research, National Obstetric Information System
- Deaths' data - Directorate for Health Information and Research, Mortality Register
Data on the number of conventional dwellings was achieved after concluding data on the eligible persons based on the registers above. Information on dwelling characteristics was collected as primary data during enumeration.
18.1.2. Classification of data sources
Classification of the data sources as requested by Reg. 2017/881, Annex point 2.1.
18.1.2.1. Classification of data sources - Data on persons
01.Conventional censuses18.1.2.2. Classification of data sources - Data on households
01.Conventional censuses18.1.2.3. Classification of data sources - Data on family nuclei
01.Conventional censuses18.1.2.4. Classification of data sources - Data on living quarters
01.Conventional censuses18.1.2.5. Classification of data sources - Data on conventional dwellings
01.Conventional censuses18.1.3. List of data sources per topic
Primary data collection was the main source of information. The following additional administrative registers were used:
- Residence permits' data
- taxpayers data
- Covid vaccine data
- International Protection Agency data
- Database of ID card holders (referred to as CDB)
- Students' database
- Births' data
- Deaths' data
18.1.4. Adequacy of data sources
- The characteristics of each statistical unit are recorded separately, so that each characteristic can be cross-classified with others.
- All information refers to the same point in time (reference date).
- Data are provided for all statistical units in a defined territory (for persons in particular, data are provided for all usual residents in a defined territory).
- Data are available for small geographical areas and for small subgroups of statistical units.
- Available data was used with reference to the Census date, i.e. all data pertained to 21 November 2021.
18.1.4.1. Adequacy of data sources - Individual enumeration
The characteristics of each statistical unit are recorded separately, so that each characteristic can be cross-classified with others.
18.1.4.2. Adequacy of data sources - Simultaneity
All information refers to the same point in time (reference date).
18.1.4.3. Adequacy of data sources - Universality within the defined territory
Data are provided for all statistical units in a defined territory (for persons in particular, data are provided for all usual residents in a defined territory).
18.1.4.4. Adequacy of data sources - Availability of small-area data
Data are available for small geographical areas and for small subgroups of statistical units.
18.1.4.5. Adequacy of data sources - Defined periodicity
Available data was used with reference to the Census date, i.e. all data pertained to 21 November 2021.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Decennial.
18.3. Data collection
The Census is based on the collection of primary data from households.
For the first time, people had the option to fill-in the census questionnaire through an online form which was accessible to the public from October 2021. Nearly 230,000 dwellings received an official letter with the login credentials via post in September 2021.
Nearly 1,000 enumerators were recruited for canvassing and fieldwork activities within their designated area. Such areas, formally referred to as enumeration areas, consist of several streets or parts thereof in a locality, typically encompassing an average of 200 dwellings. The delineation of enumeration areas was carried out by means of optimisation algorithms developed internally and the use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS).
In a step towards a fully digitalised census, enumerators visiting dwellings recorded the information on tablet computers, rather than traditional paper questionnaires. Data collection by means of telephone was also possible. An application available on the tablet devices allowed the enumerators to identify any dwellings which did not submit the questionnaire online so that they could assist them in the process or fill out the form on their behalf. Data collection from the field or by telephone was carried out between 8 and 28 November 2021. The enumeration process in certain areas was also extended till 15 December 2021.
This method of collection was considered necessary for this Census round due to the unprecedented situation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Forms and questionnaires were, however, still made available in the traditional printed format to cover all possible exigencies of the dwelling members.
Geocoding was also used for field operations to optimise the allocation of enumeration areas. In addition, the enumeration process also included geocoding of all dwellings at single point reference to study Census results mapped to a 1 square kilometre grid. This will allow a geospatial element at analysis stage once the final population is determined, resulting in the compilation and publication of first-ever geospatial census results by the NSO.
The Census questionnaire was developed considering national and international needs outlined by the respective legislations, as well as the recommendations, concepts, and definitions on population censuses proposed by the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). It aimed to collect key socio-economic information. Apart from this, a public consultation phase was conducted among stakeholders. This was launched on 5 May 2020, with stakeholders invited to submit their proposals for additional themes and questions that could potentially be included in the questionnaire. This stage was essential to ensure that the needs of users were also considered. By the end of the consultation phase, a total of 39 proposals were received from individuals, entities, authorities, and other stakeholders.
To succeed in its mission, the NSO implemented a broad communication and promotional campaign to encourage public participation, with specific focus on the use of the online self-administered questionnaire available for the first time in the Census project. The Census was featured extensively on all media platforms, including TV, radio, and newspapers. An official website was also developed and launched (www.census2021.gov.mt), which contained updated information on the Census. The website also contained an online contact form, through which the public could send their queries. The website was active during the enumeration period and is no longer available.
A freephone service (freephone number 1710) was launched in September 2021, serving as the main contact point to address public queries along the duration of the fieldwork. This service was outsourced to a private local company that serviced nearly 32 thousand calls between 1 October and 15 December 2021 (an average of 417 per day) with almost half of these being received during the month of November. Additional support was provided to the public through a dedicated e-mail address (census2021@gov.mt).
18.3.1. Data collection - Questionnaire based data
The Census is based on the collection of primary data from households.
For the first time, people had the option to fill-in the census questionnaire through an online form which was accessible to the public from October 2021. Nearly 230,000 dwellings received an official letter with the login credentials via post in September 2021.
Nearly 1,000 enumerators were recruited for canvassing and fieldwork activities within their designated area. Such areas, formally referred to as enumeration areas, consist of several streets or parts thereof in a locality, typically encompassing an average of 200 dwellings. The delineation of enumeration areas was carried out by means of optimisation algorithms developed internally and the use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS).
In a step towards a fully digitalised census, enumerators visiting dwellings recorded the information on tablet computers, rather than traditional paper questionnaires. Data collection by means of telephone was also possible. An application available on the tablet devices allowed the enumerators to identify any dwellings which did not submit the questionnaire online so that they could assist them in the process or fill out the form on their behalf. Data collection from the field or by telephone was carried out between 8 and 28 November 2021. The enumeration process in certain areas was also extended till 15 December 2021.
This method of collection was considered necessary for this Census round due to the unprecedented situation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Forms and questionnaires were, however, still made available in the traditional printed format to cover all possible exigencies of the dwelling members.
Geocoding was also used for field operations to optimise the allocation of enumeration areas. In addition, the enumeration process also included geocoding of all dwellings at single point reference to study Census results mapped to a 1 square kilometre grid. This will allow a geospatial element at analysis stage once the final population is determined, resulting in the compilation and publication of first-ever geospatial census results by the NSO.
The Census questionnaire was developed considering national and international needs outlined by the respective legislations, as well as the recommendations, concepts, and definitions on population censuses proposed by the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). It aimed to collect key socio-economic information. Apart from this, a public consultation phase was conducted among stakeholders. This was launched on 5 May 2020, with stakeholders invited to submit their proposals for additional themes and questions that could potentially be included in the questionnaire. This stage was essential to ensure that the needs of users were also considered. By the end of the consultation phase, a total of 39 proposals were received from individuals, entities, authorities, and other stakeholders.
To succeed in its mission, the NSO implemented a broad communication and promotional campaign to encourage public participation, with specific focus on the use of the online self-administered questionnaire available for the first time in the Census project. The Census was featured extensively on all media platforms, including TV, radio, and newspapers. An official website was also developed and launched (www.census2021.gov.mt), which contained updated information on the Census. The website also contained an online contact form, through which the public could send their queries. The website was active during the enumeration period and is no longer available.
A freephone service (freephone number 1710) was launched in September 2021, serving as the main contact point to address public queries along the duration of the fieldwork. This service was outsourced to a private local company that serviced nearly 32 thousand calls between 1 October and 15 December 2021 (an average of 417 per day) with almost half of these being received during the month of November. Additional support was provided to the public through a dedicated e-mail address (census2021@gov.mt).
18.3.2. Data collection - Register based data
Primary data collection was the main source of information as the Census was primarily done in a conventional way. Registers were used to identify persons who, basing on the signs-of-life principle, were eligible to be enumerated but did not participate during the fieldwork:
By mid December 2021, following the completion of the traditional fieldwork a coverage rate of 83.4 % was achieved. Following this, administrative registers were used extensively to include persons who, basing on the signs-of-life principle, were eligible to be enumerated but did not participate during the fieldwork. This ensured the coverage of all eligible persons to be reflected in the final usual resident population.
The following is a list of administrative registers (including responsible authorities) that were used to identify persons who, basing on the signs-of-life principle, were eligible to be enumerated but did not participate during the fieldwork:
- Residence permits' data - Identita'
- taxpayers data - Office of the Commissioner for Revenue
- Covid vaccine data - Directorate for Health Information and Research
- Asylum data - International Protection Agency
- Database of ID card holders (referred to as CDB) - Public Registry, Identita
- Students' database (Ministry of Education for state students at pre-primary, primary and secondary, and the rest of the students are collected from each church and private school)
- Births' data - Public Registry, Identita and Directorate for Health Information and Research, National Obstetric Information System
- Deaths' data - Directorate for Health Information and Research, Mortality Register
18.3.3. Data collection - Sample survey based data
Not applicable.
18.3.4. Data collection - Data from combined methods
Not applicable.
18.4. Data validation
A number of in-built validations were included in the data-entry program to check the validity of keyed data by establishing acceptable values. These validation rules allowed skip patterns to be executed as intended and allowed the data entry persons to observe the problem whilst entering the data for the questionnaire. In case the errors were not noticed during the data-entry phase these were corrected or edited by the census office at the data editing stage, even though editing preserved the original data as much as possible. Nevertheless, original collected data was maintained and archived for reference. Available administrative sources and survey registers were used in order to improve the consistency of recorded data as well as for benchmarking purposes.
18.5. Data compilation
Non-response:
Administrative registers were used to estimate information on persons who did not participate directly in the Census.
In case of responding units, administrative data were used to supply information in case of item non-response. For example, education data on exams and qualifications was used for the topic on education, and employment data was used on employment related questions.
Coding:
A specialised team of coders was recruited to code census data on the occupation and economic activity of individuals. Coding was split in shifts to ensure a smooth running of the process and all coders were duly supervised throughout the whole process.
Moreover, the questionnaire was built in a way to collect as much information as possible to ensure the accuracy of the codes being assigned. For example, job title is backed up by further details describing the job and further details about the respondent’s level of education. Similarly, the economic activity description is backed up by information about the name of the place of work.
In addition, an IT tool was developed to further enhance the accuracy of the coding process. By flagging instances where different coders assigned different codes to the same text, supervisors were able to review and resolve any discrepancies. Conversely, when three coders assigned the same code to the same text, the tool automatically assigned that code to similar occurrences, reducing the chance of error.
Overall, the combination of a specialized coding team, supervision, a comprehensive questionnaire, and the IT tool greatly minimized processing errors in the coding of census data on occupation and economic activity.
Weighting:
The Census does not contain a weighting factor. Non-responding persons who failed to participate in the survey even though they were usual residents of Malta, were catered for through the use of administrative sources.
Imputation:
Administrative registers were used to estimate information on persons who did not participate directly in the Census.
In case of responding units, administrative data were used to supply information in case of item non-response.
Multiple imputation was the main method used to handle item non-response in the dataset. A main benefit of multiple imputation over other techniques to handle missing data is that it considers the uncertainty associated with the missing data by generating multiple imputed datasets; thus, preserving variability. These datasets were then combined (pooled) by combining the results of the multiple imputed datasets for analysis. For the 2021 Census data, pooling was carried out considering the mode of the imputed values for the same case. Final analysis was carried out on the pooled estimates.
18.6. Adjustment
Not applicable.
No comments.
The data present the results of the 2021 EU census on population and housing, following Regulation (EC) 763/2008; Regulation (EU) 2017/543; Regulation (EU) 2017/712 and Regulation (EU) 2017/881.
18 March 2024
The information is given separately for each census topic.
The EU programme for the 2021 population and housing censuses includes data on persons, private households, family nuclei, conventional dwellings and living quarters.
The persons enumerated in the 2021 census are those who were usually resident in the territory of the reporting country at the census reference date.
Data are available at different levels of geographical detail in EU countries: national, NUTS2/NUTS3 regions and local administrative units (LAU), grids.
See the following sub-concepts.
By mid-December 2021, after traditional fieldwork was finished, an 83.4% coverage rate was attained. Subsequently, administrative registers were heavily utilised to encompass individuals who, according to the principle of signs-of-life, were qualified for enumeration but did not partake in the fieldwork. This guaranteed that the final population count of usual residents reflected the inclusion of all eligible individuals, notwithstanding item non-response, which varied by topic due to characteristics not captured in administrative records.
Counts of statistical units should be expressed in numbers and where is needed rate per inhabitants enumerated in the country.
Non-response:
Administrative registers were used to estimate information on persons who did not participate directly in the Census.
In case of responding units, administrative data were used to supply information in case of item non-response. For example, education data on exams and qualifications was used for the topic on education, and employment data was used on employment related questions.
Coding:
A specialised team of coders was recruited to code census data on the occupation and economic activity of individuals. Coding was split in shifts to ensure a smooth running of the process and all coders were duly supervised throughout the whole process.
Moreover, the questionnaire was built in a way to collect as much information as possible to ensure the accuracy of the codes being assigned. For example, job title is backed up by further details describing the job and further details about the respondent’s level of education. Similarly, the economic activity description is backed up by information about the name of the place of work.
In addition, an IT tool was developed to further enhance the accuracy of the coding process. By flagging instances where different coders assigned different codes to the same text, supervisors were able to review and resolve any discrepancies. Conversely, when three coders assigned the same code to the same text, the tool automatically assigned that code to similar occurrences, reducing the chance of error.
Overall, the combination of a specialized coding team, supervision, a comprehensive questionnaire, and the IT tool greatly minimized processing errors in the coding of census data on occupation and economic activity.
Weighting:
The Census does not contain a weighting factor. Non-responding persons who failed to participate in the survey even though they were usual residents of Malta, were catered for through the use of administrative sources.
Imputation:
Administrative registers were used to estimate information on persons who did not participate directly in the Census.
In case of responding units, administrative data were used to supply information in case of item non-response.
Multiple imputation was the main method used to handle item non-response in the dataset. A main benefit of multiple imputation over other techniques to handle missing data is that it considers the uncertainty associated with the missing data by generating multiple imputed datasets; thus, preserving variability. These datasets were then combined (pooled) by combining the results of the multiple imputed datasets for analysis. For the 2021 Census data, pooling was carried out considering the mode of the imputed values for the same case. Final analysis was carried out on the pooled estimates.
The Census is based on the collection of primary data from households.
For the first time, people had the option to fill-in the census questionnaire through an online form which was accessible to the public from October 2021. Nearly 230,000 dwellings received an official letter with the login credentials via post in September 2021. Moreover, nearly 1,000 enumerators were recruited for canvassing and fieldwork activities within their designated area. Administrative data sources were also used for data verification and imputation purposes.
Decennial
The Census reference date in Malta was 21 November 2021.
Data was made available in the following formats and dates as per below:
- Preliminary report: August 2022
- Population, migration, and other social characteristics: February 2023
- Dwelling characteristics: August 2023
- Health, education, employment, and other characteristics: January 2024
These publications are available on the NSO website.
Final data in hypercube form was provided to Eurostat in December 2023. The deadline for transmission as specified in the relevant regulations was March 2024.
Data reported to Eurostat conforms to the eligibility criteria established for all Member States. In accordance with the relevant legislation, the definition of ‘usual residence’ based on a 12-month reference period (including intention of stay) was adhered to. There are no particular reasons for lack of comparability between countries.
Not applicable.
